Top Five Youngest Male Players to Win Australian Open and US Open in the Same Season

Tennis, one of the most esteemed sports in the world, has seen a long list of talented players across different eras. These players have created their names by winning major tournaments on many surfaces. In the Open Era of tennis, which began in 1968, the sport witnessed legendary icons like Rod Laver and Ken Rosewall who paved the way for future stars. Later, the likes of Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, and John Newcombe carried forward the legacy. The 90s were controlled by Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi before the legendary "Big Three" – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic – took over. Combined, these three have won a staggering 66 Grand Slam titles.

As tennis continues to evolve, new stars arise, and presently, the spotlight is on players like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. In 2024, Jannik Sinner became one of the youngest players to win both the Australian Open and the US Open in the same season, a feat only a couple of tennis greats have achieved. Let’s take a glance at the top five youngest male players to have won this notable milestone.

5. Novak Djokovic (24 years, 113 days)

Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic ranks fifth on this list. In 2011, at the age of 24 years and 113 days, Djokovic won the Australian Open and the US Open in the same year for the first time. In Melbourne, he won over Andy Murray to claim his second Australian Open title. Later in the season, at the US Open, Djokovic overcame a relentless clash with Rafael Nadal at Flushing Meadows.

This win marked the commencement of Djokovic's dominance on the tennis circuit. He would go on to repeat this feat in 2015 and again in 2024, securing his place as one of the greatest players in the history of tennis.

4. Mats Wilander (24 years, 10 days)

Swedish tennis star Mats Wilander is the fourth youngest player to win the Australian Open and US Open in the same year. At just 24 years and 10 days, Wilander achieved this feat in 1988. What makes Wilander exclusive is that he is the only male player to have won the Australian Open on both grass and hardcourt surfaces. He achieved his first Australian Open title in 1983 when the tournament was played on grass and then defended his title on hardcourt the upcoming year.

In 1988, Wilander had an incredible season, winning the Australian Open, the French Open, and the US Open. In the US Open final, he won over Ivan Lendl to complete the notable milestone.

3. Roger Federer (23 years, 35 days)

Swiss Maestro Roger Federer ranks third on this list. In 2005, at the age of 23 years and 35 days, Federer won both the Australian Open and the US Open, a season where he was at the peak of his powers. In Melbourne, he triumphed over Lleyton Hewitt in straight sets, and later in New York, he added another Grand Slam title by defeating Andre Agassi in the final.

Federer’s win in 2005 was not a one-time feat. He repeated the same accomplishment in 2006 and 2007, winning multiple Grand Slam titles in consecutive seasons. Federer went on to win a total of 20 Grand Slam titles in his career, making him one of the finest players the sport has ever seen.

2. Jannik Sinner (23 years, 23 days)

Italian tennis legend Jannik Sinner is the second youngest player to win the Australian Open and the US Open in the same year. At just 23 years and 23 days old, Sinner won his second Grand Slam at the 2024 US Open, defeating Taylor Fritz in an exhilarating final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Earlier in the season, Sinner had a breakthrough win at the Australian Open, where he defeated Daniil Medvedev in a five-set epic final. This triumph made Sinner the first Italian man to ever win both the Australian Open and the US Open, a historic win that sets him up as one of the emerging stars of modern tennis.

1. Jimmy Connors (22 years, 6 days)

Topping the list is American tennis sensation Jimmy Connors. In 1974, at the age of just 22 years and 6 days, Connors made history by winning not only the Australian Open and the US Open but also Wimbledon in the same season, an extraordinary feat. Connors’ victories that year were even more remarkable because he won all three titles on grass, a rare victory.

Connors went on to win a total of eight Grand Slam titles and holds the record for the most singles titles in the Open Era with 109 ATP titles, solidifying his place as one of the all-time greats in tennis.

Conclusion

Winning both the Australian Open and the US Open in the same season is a notable feat that only a select few have managed to accomplish. These five players, from different eras of tennis, have carved their names in history with their enthralling performances. As tennis continues to evolve, we may see more young talents rising to the challenge and joining this elite list.

Cover Credits - US Open